Manchester City defender Yan Couto and Anthony Elanga and Amad of Manchester United have been named on the initial 100-man shortlist for the 2022 Golden Boy award.
The accolade, which was established back in 2003, is awarded to the best-performing player in any European top-flight who is under the age of 21. A player can only win the award once in their career, meaning a new winner is guaranteed every year.
It was created by Italian newspaper Tuttosport and journalists from across Europe will vote for the winner. Initially, 100 candidates are in with a chance of winning the gong, before the list is reduced to 80, then 60 and then 40 before a final shortlist of 20 is revealed.
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This year, the two Manchester clubs are represented by three players, with City right-back Couto making the cut, alongside United duo Elanga and Amad. Couto, who joined City from Brazilian outfit Coritiba in July 2020, has spent this season on loan at Portuguese outfit Braga.
Helping them enjoy a strong campaign domestically, as well as playing a key role in helping them reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, Couto, who turned 20 earlier this month, racked up 42 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and grabbing four assists.
Elanga, meanwhile, enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season at Old Trafford, despite having to prove his worth during a torrid campaign for the club as a whole. Officially embedded within the first-team picture following Ralf Rangnick's appointment as interim manager last November, the Swede produced several encouraging performances.
He made 26 appearances under the German, scoring three goals and claiming two assists. His standout moment came when he scored United's equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the first-leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
His form for United led to him earning his senior debut for Sweden in March. He has since earned five caps for his country and netted his first goal in a 2-1 defeat to Norway just over a week ago.
Elsewhere, Amad, has also been included on the shortlist, despite struggling to make an impact on loan at Rangers this term. The United youngster joined the Scottish outfit on loan in January for the remainder of the season, but endured a mixed spell.
The aforementioned trio have been joined on the initial shortlist by the likes of Liverpool's Harvey Elliott, Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund and new Bayern Munich recruit Ryan Gravenberch.
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